When First Course NYC graduate Eric moved from California to New York eight years ago at just 19, he was searching for more than a job. He wanted to build a life rooted in community and creativity. But finding the right path took time. Eric spent the next several years working a series of part-time jobs while searching for a career that could turn his interests into something lasting.
Eric had grown up cooking at home with his mother, but it wasn’t until he began picking up shifts at restaurants, bussing tables, and supporting front-of-house service, that he started to see food as a potential career. While living in NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) housing, Eric attended an information session where he learned about Hot Bread Kitchen’s First Course NYC program. This program offered exactly what he had been looking for: a chance to build on his love of cooking, gain professional skills, and take his first real step toward a culinary career.
“The reason I joined First Course was because I was looking for stability plus a way to grow in the career field that I wanted to be in. Now I actually have that.”
Eric, First Course NYC Graduate
At Hot Bread Kitchen, Eric quickly found the sense of community he had been looking for. “One of the greatest parts of the program for me was being surrounded by people working towards the same goal as me,” he shared. “We were all a big family in the kitchen.”
In addition to camaraderie with his classmates, Eric felt our training kitchen was the optimal learning environment.
“It felt so professional while at the same time being a very safe space to make mistakes and learn from them,” he commented.
After completing his training, Eric was connected to a job opportunity at Nephew Supper Club through First Course instructor Chef Joe. A Harlem staple for nearly 20 years, Nephew Supper Club is a Black-owned supper club offering soul food and live entertainment with an emphasis on cultural connection.
For Eric, the restaurant was what he had been searching for when he first moved to New York. “The restaurant I work in is community-oriented, which is very inspiring to me,” he shared. “It’s exactly the kind of culture I want to be in.”
Just five months into the job, Eric has already been promoted to line cook and received a 10% raise. As he looks ahead, he hopes to continue learning and advancing at Nephew Supper Club while working toward an even bigger dream: launching a food business that provides nourishing meals for postpartum mothers.
The idea is deeply personal. After a family member experienced a miscarriage, Eric supported her recovery by preparing meals and saw firsthand the important role food can play during a difficult time. That experience planted the seed for a business that would combine his growing culinary skills with his desire to care for others.
“Receiving a promotion and a raise has given me more financial stability. I’ve been able to go back to school, eliminate debt, and prepare to save for emergencies. In June, my great-grandmother passed away and with this new position, I was able to both attend the funeral and help pay for arrangements.”
Eric, First Course NYC Gradaute
In the meantime, his job at Nephew Supper Club has given him the stability and work flexibility to continue working while going back to school to earn his associates degree at Kingsborough Community College. And wherever his culinary career takes him next, Eric will continue to have the Hot Bread Kitchen community in his corner.
